Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My Littleman came to us through my son-in-law, when his boss's mom, who was Riley's mom, became very ill and passed away. We had recently lost our wonderful, funny handsome Golden Retriever, Hans Frans, to cancer and our Lab, Essie, was so lonely without her lifelong companion.

So Riley's picture was emailed to me and I instantly fell in love with him. At the time he was living in Yucaipa in So Cal and we were living in Livermore, in the East Bay of San Francisco. After many emails and phone calls back and forth, we agreed to meet the family caring for him half-way in between, and we drove to Buttonwillow, a stop I'm sure any of you who regularly drive Interstate 5 will recognize.

Our first sighting of Riley was him being walked across the parking lot of the truck stop, and he was happily bark bark bark bark bark barking all the way across. We thought, oh crap what have we gotten ourselves into?????, but he was so adorable and had the most beautiful brown eyes I knew we could work with him on the barking.

The barking turned out to be the least of the problems. It seems this sweet boy had not been housebroken and thought it was perfectly OK to squat and pee and worse wherever and whenever the need arose! He also felt free to jump up on the table and stand there like a mountain goat helping himself to whatever was on the table.

Well, long story short....we have overcome all of the problems, but he still will do almost ANYTHING for a bit of food. But he's a VERY smart boy and caught on to what he was doing wrong very quickly because above all else he's a pleaser. He now shakes, does an adorable "down" and rolls over on command. He also takes the cleaning of the cat's ears VERY seriously and deems it necessary to do several times a day! The cat actually has come to like it!

Riley makes me happy just looking at him, and most everyone who meets him feels the same way. He's such an unusual looking dog that we never go anywhere that someone doesn't ask me what kind of dog he is, usually followed by the comment that he should "be in movies"! My little diva...What a cutie ...he has blessed my life with happiness and laughs since day one!

Thanks so much Pam (aka Mom) for sharing Riley with us! He really is a cutie!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Mona is such a love, we can't stress that enough! She is a very social girl, loves everyone she meets and other dogs too! She's always happy and walks like she is showing off doing her best parade strut! She has a very sweet temperament and is totally a companion dog. All she wants is to be near you. Everyone who meets her, falls in love with her.

She is wonderful with people and will great & gives kisses when you ask her. She seems to have a natural instinct to make people happy and might be a great therapy dog. Kids 12 years+.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area (or know someone who is) and would like to foster or adopt Mona, please contact Furry Friends Rescue.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Bitty (or Jazzy)’s story is a little long and very heartwarming. She was found in my aunt and uncle’s back yard a few months before Hurricane Katrina. My aunt and my cousin tell me she was feral and tiny. They thought Bitty was a rat when they first saw her. She would open her mouth but no sound came out. Hungry and meal-less she was eating rocks and twigs! When my aunt heard Hurricane Katrina was approaching New Orleans they tried for three days to catch Bitty until my cousin was finally able to grab her and put her in a carrier with their other cat Astro.

After the hurricane my previous home was a bit squishy and very unlivable so I moved in with my aunt, uncle, cousin and Bitty. At this point her meows had evolved into squeaks. Six months later when I moved out my aunt asked if I could take Bitty with me. It made sense. I loved the cat and the cat loved me and it was a way to show my gratitude after my aunt put up with me for six months.

I had no idea Bitty would be the best cat I have ever owned. I can now hold her like a baby and give her kisses on her head. The first day she met my current husband she fell in love with him and showed this by rolling all over his jacket covering it in Bitty hairs. According to Bitty she lives with her two favorite people. That helps in the being not afraid of people department. It took her a few years, but she can now meow a full meow!

Bitty is also my constant companion. This involves waiting outside of the bathroom every morning while I get ready. When I list and update on Etsy she has a spot right next to the laptop so she can keep up. She takes daily naps with the Bunny and entices the dog to play… then screams when he chases her. She is a lovely, furry part of our family!

Such a heartwarming story, thank you so much for sharing Bitty with us! Be sure to check out Deanna and her husband's Etsy shop, it's full of awesome :) EDEN GALLERY

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Lucas is a handsome hound, approx. 7 years old. Lucas is obedient, uses a doggie door, sits and waits for his treats and his food bowl. He gets along well with other dogs and cats, too. He's Mr. Manners! Lucas would do best in a structured home where he will be given exercise and will get to use the commands he's been taught. He can be a bit strong-willed, so needs his new person to be the same way!

If you are near Las Vegas and interested in giving Lucas a forever home, please contact Las Vegas Basset Rescue or apply to adopt him HERE.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Mr. Whiskers came into the family July of last year. June & July are notorious for all the cats that have to be put down in the shelters because they get soooo many kittens in. I decided my daughter was old enough for a kitty and we were going to the shelter to adopt an adult one. I was telling a friend about my plan for that day and she said "oh wait!, I have a tenant who is taking his cat to a shelter today". My friend is a landlord and the tenant A- Did not tell her he had a cat initially and B- Had a toddler son who was super aggressive with the cat so they were going to take him (the cat, not the son) to the shelter. I was over there a couple hours later and the rest is history. When I got him home he immediately stuck to Jayna and would not leave her side. If she was asleep in her room he would cry to be in there with her. If she was in her room she would cry for the kitty. He even would sit at the edge of the tub and stay there while she splashed around! They have been in love ever since I brought him home.

Peach was not a planned adoption. A friend of mine knew someone who worked for EDCO (trash & disposal company). The EDCO friend had found two tiny kittens that someone had put in a dumpster!! They immediately posted pictures and set out to find them a good home. Well since I had only had Mr. Whiskers a couple months I didn't think we were ready for a second cat but I posted the pictures on Facebook and hoped someone would adopt them. Yeah, that lasted less then 24 hours before I caved and adopted one of the kittens. She was so tiny and adorable we knew we had to find the perfect name for her. Two weeks went by and nothing seemed right at all. Finally one day my boyfriend joked "we should just name her something ridiculous like Peach". I laughed and as a joke every time we saw her we said "It's the PEEEEEEACH!!!". Another two weeks later, no name and we always called her Peach. It stuck and is even funnier because of the fact that the grey cat is named Peach and not the orange one.

It is amazing how the two of them are a perfect fit to our family! When Peach came home she was so tiny and scared, but Mr. Whiskers took over as the parent and they have been inseparable ever since. Now the two cats and my daughter are like a mini pack of animals. All three are always together.

Thank you Andrea for sharing your awesome kitties with us! They're both adorable...and what a great story!!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Here is my beautiful girl Maya or Maya Bear as we call her. She is a 6year old pit mix. We were fortunate enough to find her one day whileat Petsmart picking up some supplies for our other dog Charlie. Shehas changed our mind as well as all of our friends' minds about pitbulls. She is the sweetest dog I have ever met. She is so docile andgentle. She lets our 3 year old jump and crawl all over her. Becauseof her we have become big advocates for pit bulls and all dogs who geta bad wrap because of mistreatment by their owners. We love her andcan't imagine our life without her!!

Thank you so much for sharing your sweet Maya with us Christina! I love her little pink claws :)

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Peaches and Rufus are a bonded pair of Bassets who are losing their foster home :( They need to find a new foster or forever family soon! Please contact Las Vegas Basset Rescue or fill out the online applications linked below if you can help!

Peaches is just like her name states: a real peach of a gal. She is best friends with Rufus and would like to remain with him in a new home. She's quiet, gentle, small, and loving. Peaches is also a brave girl. Last year she had part of her lower jaw removed due to a non-cancerous growth. As she healed, she learned how to eat all over again with her new face. Now she chomps away with the best of the hounds! Her little pink tongue sticks out, as if she's giving you the raspberry! This sweet 8 year old gal never asks for much--just love, belly rubs, and a comfy place to hang out. If you think you could foster or adopt this wonderful, deserving pair, please put in the online application.

Rufus is a classic red and white handsome man. He's 9 years young and loves Peaches. They have been together forever and wish to remain so. Through thick and thin, side by side, loyal friends. Rufus has been described by his foster family as "the perfect dog". No glitches, just pure enjoyment. Excellent house manners, full of love and devotion. Please consider giving Rufus and his lady friend, Peaches, a home to enjoy. They will return your love ten-fold. Rufus's online application.